Agrium worker Chad Wiklun was a father of 2 and a jack of all trades, says widow

It was a routine goodbye kiss for Celina Danis as her partner, Chad Wiklun, left for his night shift at the Agrium potash mine in Vanscoy, Sask., last week.

While working underground the 29-year-old was caught between two pieces of heavy machinery. It was a serious accident that killed him a few days later.

The mine is located about 30 kilometres southwest of Saskatoon and employs about 775 workers.

• Agrium worker seriously injured underground at Vanscoy, Sask., potash mine
• Chad Wiklun, 29, dies after accident at Agrium Vanscoy, Sask., potash mine

"I don't remember if we said we loved each other," a devastated Danis told media on Monday in Saskatoon.

"I'm a complete and utter mess. That's my love. We met when we were young. I don't know what I'm going to do without him."

She said the couple's two young daughters, eight-year-old Casey and six-year-old Carsyn, have yet to comprehend why their father hasn't come home since that fateful night.

"When it hits them, it's going to hit hard and I hope that I can answer any questions that they do have about him," said Danis.

She described Wiklun as a selfless man who would drop anything to help someone in need.

"He's a jack of all trades, you know, you give him something and he's got it done. Just everything about Chad is a positive; there's nothing ever negative that came from Chad," she explained.

"The love of vehicles that he has, the love for his family and his friends that he has – just being able to handle any task that was put before him, he could just do it all."

A message for others

Danis said others working underground should take all the necessary precautions to work as safe as possible.

"I don't know if there was anything that could be changed. It was a terrible accident and I know that accidents happen. It was just very unfortunately that anything had to happen."

She urged everyone to not take life for granted and not to sweat the small things in life.

"It is scary. I know that you could lose a loved one," she said. "Make sure you always tell that person that you love them."

Wiklun's funeral is set to take place Tuesday morning with all funeral expenses being taken care of by Agrium.